The effect of water fluoridation on the bone mineral density of young women.
BACKGROUND
Osteogenic effects of therapeutic fluoride have been reported; however, the impact of exposure to low level water fluoridation on bone density is not clear. We investigated the effect of long-term exposure to fluoridated water from growth to young adulthood on bone mineral density (BMD).


METHODS
BMD was measured in 24 healthy women from Regina (fluoride 0.1 mg/L) and 33 from Saskatoon (fluoride 1.0 mg/L), with no differences between groups for height, weight, lifestyle or dietary factors.


RESULTS
Saskatoon women had significantly higher mean BMD at total anterior-posterior lumbar spine (APS) and estimated volumetric 1.3 (VLS), with no difference at total body (TB) or proximal femur (PF).


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to water fluoridation during the growing years may have a positive impact on axial spine bone density in young women.
Arnold
C M
CM
College of Physical Education, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. arnoldc@sask.usask.ca
Bailey
D A
DA
Faulkner
R A
RA
McKay
H A
HA
McCulloch
R G
RG
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015519:Bone Density; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005457:Fluoridation; D005459:Fluorides / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D012525:Saskatchewan
D005459:Fluorides